GAITHERSBURG, Maryland and BERN, Switzerland, January 20 /PRNewswire/ --

- SmartNode(TM) 4961 PRI VoIP Gateway Recognized for Outstanding
Innovation

- SmartNode(TM) VoIP... more than just talk

Patton -- the leader in business and carrier-class network access,
connectivity, VoIP and video equipment -- together with Patton-Inalp Networks
AG -- creator of SmartNode(TM) industry-leading VoIP technology -- announced
today that Patton's SmartNode(TM) 4961 PRI VoIP Gateway has won the 2008
Product of the Year Award from Technology Marketing Corporation's (TMC)
INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine (www.itmag.com).

"This marks the fourth consecutive year that SmartNode(TM) has earned
Product-of-the-Year," said John Wu, product manager, "and we are deeply
honored."

The SmartNode 4961 features a high-precision clock that solves
interoperability failures that often occur with DECT, PBX and FAX equipment
when converting ISDN systems to IP telephony.

The SmartNode(TM) 4961 also solves stability issues often encountered
when WiMAX or other wireless E1 lines are used to connect VoIP gateways to
the PSTN.

"The VoIP market demands transparency," Mr. Wu continued, "when
connecting to the digital PSTN. Yet most VoIP manufacturers don't understand
how to deliver transparency. Only Patton SmartNode(TM) solves the mystery
cost-effectively."

Since the earliest ISDN VoIP installations, DECT, PBX, and FAX
interoperability issues have plagued integrators and service providers.
SmartNode(TM) is the only standalone VoIP CPE solution that delivers true
transparency in ISDN environments.

Patton's high-precision-clock solution for digital VoIP builds on eight
years of award-winning VoIP product leadership, continuously developing the
industry's most interoperable VoIP platform.

Alternative modular equipment solutions from Cisco and Avaya are more
costly, more bulky, and more complicated to install and operate. In addition,
those vendors require expensive support contracts, while Patton provides free
support services to all their customers.

On 1 January 2009 Patton marked their 25th anniversary as a business and
named Robert R. Patton as CEO to succeed his father, Robert E. Patton.

"Patton has proven their commitment to quality and excellence," said Rich
Tehrani, TMC President and Editor-in-Chief of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine,
"while addressing real needs in the marketplace. We're proud to honor their
accomplishments and look forward to more innovative solutions from Patton in
the future."

Product of the Year winners will be published in the February, 2009 issue
of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine (www.itmag.com).

For more information about Patton (www.patton.com) and SmartNode contact
sales@inalp.com.